Sugar Grove Nature Center

2012 Maple Sirup Programs & Field Trips
It’s coming soon! The time of year when buckets decorate the sugar maples throughout Funks Grove. Sugar Grove Nature Center is pleased to offer the Funks Grove Maple Sirup Experience to students throughout central Illinois and share this important part of Funks Grove Heritage.
 

Adults (18+)

Maple Siruping Traditions in McLean County: Come Tap a Tree with Us!
Saturday, March 10, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Ages: 18+, fee: $7/person.  Register through the McLean County Museum of History by contacting the Education Department by telephone at 309.827.0428 or email at education@mchistory.org by March 2nd.  Registration forms will also be available at the Museum and Nature Center.  Participants will need to provide their own transportation to Sugar Grove Nature Center.

Join the McLean County Museum of History, in partnership with Sugar Grove Nature Center, for a fun and educational afternoon exploring the traditions and history of Maple Siruping in McLean County.  The workshop will begin with a short talk by Mike Funk, who owns and operates Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup. He will share some of the history of his family's early sirup making traditions after the Funks settled the area in the 1800s, up to the formation of Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup, a family business that continues to this day. In addition, participants will experience the Native American method of boiling sap, learn about the biology of the maple tree, sample tasty maple snacks, and actually tap a tree. 

Family

Homeschool Maple Sirup
Tuesday, March 6 OR Thursday, March 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sugar Grove Nature Center is pleased to continue offering the Funks Grove Maple Sirup Experience for homeschooling families. The program provides a special opportunity for students to actively engage in the production of maple sirup as they explore its history from pre-settlement to current day through demonstrations and hands-on activities. Every student will have the opportunity to tap a sugar maple tree and take home a small bottle of Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup.

Due to the seasonality of this topic, there are a limited number of days available to offer this program. Tuesday, March 6th and Thursday, March 8th have been reserved for homeschool students. The program will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. To participate in this special event, please submit the registration form below and fees by February 15, 2012. Upon receipt of your registration we will send confirmation and further details. If you have questions, do not hesitate to call 309.874.2174 or email info@sugargrovenaturecenter.org.

Maple Sirup Experience Tours
Saturday, March 3, 2012
2-1/2 Hour tours begin at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., & 3:00 p.m.
Have you ever tasted 'sweet water' dripping from a spile?  Here's your chance!  Gather around the fire at the sirup camp to learn how the Native Americans and early settlers collected and prepared sap.  Visit the sugar shack where the smell of maple sirup hangs in the air.  Journey into the sugarbush to tap a tree.  Stop inside the Nature Center to sample a variety of sweet treats made with maple sirup including candy, cookies, fudge, and more!  Dress for the weather, as you will be outside for a major portion of the program.  Experience an important part of Funks Grove heritage!
Fee:  Members - $5/adults, $3/children (16 & under), non-members - $7/adults, $5/children.  Registration & prepayment required.

Preschoolers

Little Tappers
Wednesday, February 15, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. OR
Saturday, March 10, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
This program is designed especially for children 3-5 years with an adult chaperone.  We will sing songs and make a craft while learning how to make maple sirup and listen to a fabulous sirup story.  Then, each child will get a turn at tree tapping and taste the real thing!
Fee: Members $5/child, $8/child/non-members; adult chaperone & registration required. Register by phone at 309.874.2174 or by email at register@sugargrovenaturecenter.org.

Scouts

Sirup for Scouts!
Saturday, February 25
9:30 a.m.- noon or 1:00-3:30 p.m.
Attention Boy and Girl Scout leaders!  Your troop is invited to join in on the maple sirup fun!  Scouts will learn how sap from the maple tree becomes sirup, and take part in the process from tree tapping to tasting!  When registering, be sure to gather participant numbers for your entire troop so that no one is left out of this experience!  Note: in order to accommodate as many scouts as possible, we request that the number of adults in attendance is no more that one adult per five scouts, and no siblings, please.  If you’d like to attend as a family, consider the Maple Sirup Experience Tours on March 3.
Fee: $5/scout, $2/leaders; registration & prepayment required.  Forms will be available online shortly, by e-mail at register@sugargrovenaturecenter.org, or by phone at 309.874.2174.